The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones
If you haven't ventured into the wonderful world of noise-canceling headphones, you're missing out. The clarity and quality of sound — even in loud, busy environments — is unbeatable, which makes them a coveted item in the era of the mobile workspace. Luckily, the technology has advanced so rapidly that you won't have to break the bank on a new pair of headphones. To help you find the right fit, we've rounded up some of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. Read on to learn how to improve your listening experience so calls are clearer and solo jam sessions are smoother.
What to Look For
In our research, we found that the best noise-canceling headphones are comfortable, user-friendly, and offer excellent sound quality. For example, HROEENOI’s headphones boast active noise canceling and a microphone that’s crisp enough for all your personal and business calls. If you’re kids are hoping to drown out their noisy siblings, we think they’ll appreciate Nabevi’s headphones, made especially for kids. Read on to learn more about our favorite picks.
HROEENOI Active Noise Canceling Headphones
The noise-canceling queen
One of the biggest drawbacks of noise-canceling headphones can be their price — a quiet listening experience doesn’t come cheap. But luckily, HROEENOI’s headphones defy the norm with their wonderfully affordable combination of active noise cancellation (ANC) and clear voice capture (CVC). The ANC reduces background sounds for the listener, while the CVC microphone filters out excess noise for whoever is on the other end of a call. Combined with rapid-charging USB-C capabilities, these features make these headphones hard to beat.
Pros:
- The combination of ANC and CVC improves the experience of both the listener and the recipient of a call
- USB-C turbo-charging provides up to two hours of use on a 10-minute charge
- Five different equalization modes to optimize sound quality based on the type of music
- The foldable design is easy to transport with included carrying case
Cons:
- No hear-through mode, so ANC is either off or on
Nabevi Kids Headphones with Microphone
Easy on the eardrums
Technology has advanced so drastically that most kids own at least one device. But even though tablets or computers can be great learning tools, they can also prove to be damaging to young ears. Thankfully, this pair of headphones from Nabevi allows you to limit your child’s volume, maxing out at 94 decibels (dB), which is ideal for louder spaces. The lower end of 85 dB allows children to hear easily in a normal environment without bursting their ears. If that wasn’t enough, a cushioned headband and breathable earpads make for a very comfortable fit.
Pros:
- Decibel limit can work to protect your child’s hearing in the longer run
- Comfortable, perforated ear cushions and a padded headband
- Option of Bluetooth or wired connection
Cons:
- No ANC offered
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
Unparalleled quality
If you’re familiar with the technology world, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Sony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones are high on our list. This model utilizes dual noise sensor technology to effectively reduce background noise while also boasting five built-in microphones to pick up your voice for a call while filtering out the rest. A touch sensor on one side allows hands-free navigation that can answer and end calls, skip or pause tracks, and adjust the volume. And thanks to an impressive battery life of 30 hours, you can truly stay on the go.
Pros:
- Dual noise sensor technology provides high-quality active noise cancellation
- Five built-in microphones optimize audio pickup for phone calls
- USB-C charging provides five hours of use with one 10-minute charge
- Wearing detection automatically pauses playback when headphones are removed
Cons:
- Paying a premium for top-of-the-line technology
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Headphones
It's all in the name
Bose is another brand that’s made its name by churning out superior audio equipment. The QuietComfort line is no exception, and the 35 II model proves that beyond a reasonable doubt. Three levels of active noise cancellation provide an ideal listening experience regardless of location, and noise-rejecting dual microphones optimize audio pickup for calls. Hands-free navigation buttons allow you to access Alexa or your default voice-activated assistant, adjust volume and playback, and toggle between ANC levels. It’ll last about 20 hours while Bluetooth connects, but that battery bumps up to 40 hours when utilizing the wired auxiliary connection.
Pros:
- Three different levels of ANC to optimize your listening experience
- Hands-free navigation buttons make it easy to utilize personal AI assistants
- Bluetooth or wired connection available
- The Bose Connect app allows you to personalize audio and manage Bluetooth connections
Cons:
- Shorter battery life than many competitors in its class
Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
Jam out for hours
Some folks might be happy to sacrifice a little sound quality for longer battery life, but the Elite 85h from Jabra can give you the best of both worlds. Along with their SmartSound active noise cancellation that automatically adapts to your environment, these headphones have six built-in microphones to filter out background sounds so you can confidently make calls. With ANC turned on, they’ll give you 36 hours of continuous use, and their USB-C charging provides five hours of power in just ten minutes.
Pros:
- SmartSound ANC adjusts to your environment
- Up to 36 hours of use on a single charge with ANC turned on
- Water and rain resistant
- Jabra Sound+ app allows you to create listening presets for different environments or music genres
Cons:
- Hands-free navigation buttons can be finicky on occasion
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between ANC and CVC?
Active noise cancellation (ANC) headphones emit an equal and opposite frequency to effectively cancel out background noise, improving the user’s listening experience. Clear voice capture (CVC) technology works to home in on the user’s voice while picking up environmental sounds and reducing them; this improves the quality of a call for the recipient rather than the user.
How much will I actually be able to hear with ANC turned on?
While this depends mostly on the quality of ANC, it’s doubtful you’ll ever feel like you’re listening in a total vacuum. Generally, the din of your environment is filtered out almost entirely, while spontaneous, loud sounds are simply reduced. If you’re hoping to filter out some noise while still being aware of your surroundings, look for models with a hear-through mode. Many headphones will automatically go into a hear-through mode during phone calls, which helps mitigate the feeling of talking underwater.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.